Western Global Airlines to pay $84K to resolve gender wage discrimination alleged in federal review

ESTERO, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor announced its Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs and Western Global Airlines Inc. have entered into a conciliation agreement in which the employer will pay $84,727 in back wages and interest to resolve alleged gender-based pay discrimination at the company’s Estero facility. 

A routine compliance review of Western Global Airlines initially raised concerns about base pay and bonuses for female managers, support professionals, technicians and administrators. The agency determined the employer’s actions violated Executive Order 11246, which prohibits federal contractors from discriminating in employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.

Western Global Airlines agreed to resolve the OFCCP’s preliminary findings by paying 18 female workers $79,977 in back wages and interest, as well as $4,750 in bonuses. As part of the agreement, the employer will conduct an annual review of its compensation policies and practices and provide training to company officials responsible for determining compensation. During the agency’s compliance evaluation, the employer also made $157,500 in pay equity adjustments to female employees.

“As a federal contractor, Western Global Airlines Inc. must ensure their employment practices are free of discrimination, provide all employees with equal employment opportunities and audit their processes to make sure no barriers to equal employment exist,” said Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs Acting Southeast Regional Director Diana Sen. 

View the conciliation agreement. 

Since 2023, Western Global Airlines Inc. has been paid more than $4.5 million in federal contracts to provide scheduled freight air transportation services to the Department of Defense’s U.S. Transportation Command.   

OFCCP launched the Class Member Locator to identify applicants or workers who may be entitled to monetary relief and/or consideration for job placement as a result of OFCCP’s compliance evaluations and complaint investigations. 

In addition to Executive Order 11246, OFCCP enforces Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974. Together, these laws prohibit employment discrimination.

Learn more about OFCCP.